We all want that dreamy body, and while I went through a period where I dieted severely I realized I just wasn’t entirely happy. Sure, I lost a lot of weight, got lean and all that but I was grumpy, annoyed, tense and HANGRY. I realized later that life is worth more than just eating chicken and veggies and to be completely honest, what’s life for without LIVING?! I know people say this all the time, but everything in moderation is key. So now, if I want a glass of wine or a cookie, I have it because you know what tomorrow is not guaranteed and girl, wine is life. So here are a few reasons why it’s OK to indulge from time to time.
IT MAKES YOU HAPPY
If I couldn’t eat my favorite foods ever, I’d probably be no fun to be around. Depriving yourself will just make you grumpy and irritable (like it did for me) so go ahead and have the huge meatball sub you love so much when you go out to eat. You’ll be so happy that it’ll be worth it. Just balance the calories with your choices for the rest of the day.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO AVOID SOCIAL EVENTS
I’ll be honest, when I was in my serious diet mode, I skipped out on so many things because I just didn’t want to be put in the “situation” of having to eat/drink. Kind of sad, right?! Join the fun and indulge in a small amount of treats. But don’t make the party all about the food. Mingle and chat with other guests and keep your indulgences small. That way you can truly enjoy events without having to stay home and eat another broccoli floret.
IT STOPS FEELINGS OF DEPRIVATION
Perhaps the most important reason why it’s OK to indulge is because it stops you from overdoing it out of feelings of deprivation. Ok, have you ever gone weeks and weeks without any kind of “yummy” treat? The result is you feel deprived and literally want to scarf down any kind of bad food there is around and well, eventually you give in and its way worse that it would have been if you just allowed yourself that burger a couple times per month so you’re not feeling overly deprived.
INDULGE FOR YOUR MIND
Your wellbeing and mental health is so important, many of us don’t even realize. If you’re finding yourself bingeing because you’re restricting so much and then feeling so much hate and regret, take baby steps and start introducing small ‘treats’ once every other day or so. Start gradually and eventually spread these treats out. Eventually you’ll find yourself slowly staying away from the constant self-loathing and actually giving your mind and emotions a rest.
Restriction just stresses you out and causes all the hormones to be all over the place, wrecking havoc upon our mind. Be gentle with yourself, we are all doing the best we can and make sure to remind yourself of that. A little indulgence here and there will truly help control your mood, your emotions and your mind.
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